The Fall of the Niebelungs | Page 5

be
dubbed a knight with Siegfried.
Many wonders might one tell of that hightide, and rightly Siegmund and Sieglind won
glory from the gifts of their hand, by reason whereof a multitude rode into the land. To
four hundred sworded knights and to Siegfried was given rich apparel. Full many a fair
damsel ceased not from working with her needle for his sake. Precious stones without
stint they set in gold, and embroidered them with silk on the vest of the proud youth. He
was little loth thereto. And the king bade them set places for many a hero the
mid-summer that Siegfried became a knight.
The rich squires and great knights drew to the minster. Meet is it that the old help the
young, even as they in their day were holpen.
The time sped in merriment and sports. First, God to honour, they sang mass. Then the
people pressed in hard to behold the youths dubbed knights with such pomp and high
observance as we see not the like of nowadays.
Then they ran where they found saddled horses. And the noise of tourney was so great at
Siegmund's court that palace and hall echoed therewith, for there was a mighty din of
heroes. From old and young came the noise of hurtling and of broken shafts whizzing in
the air; and from warring hands flew splintered lances as far as the castle; men and
women looked on at the sport. Then the king bade stay the tilting. And they led off the
horses. Many shields lay broken, and, strewed on the grass, were jewels from shining
bucklers, fallen in the fray.
The guests went in and sat down as they were bidden, and over the choice meats and
good wine, drunk to the full, they parted from their weariness. Friends and strangers were
entreated with equal honour.
Albeit they ceased not from tilting all the day, the mummers and the minstrels took no
rest, but sang for gold and got it; wherefore they praised the land of Siegmund. The king
enfeoffed Siegfried with lands and castles, as in his youth his father had enfeoffed him,
and to his sword-fellows he gave with full hand, that it rejoiced them to be come into that
country.

The hightide endured seven days. Sieglind, the wealthy queen, did according to old
custom. She divided red gold among her guests for love of her son, that she might win
their hearts to him.
Among the minstrels none were needy. Horses and raiment were as free as if they that
gave had but a day to live. Never company gave readier.
So the hightide ended with glory, and the rich lords were well minded to have Siegfried
to their prince. While Siegmund and Sieglind lived, their son, that loved them, desired not
to wear the crown, but only, as a brave man, to excel in strength and might. Greatly was
he feared in the land; nor durst any chide him, for from the day he bare arms he rested not
from strife. Yea, in far countries and for all time, his strong hand won him glory.
Third Adventure
How Siegfried Came to Worms
Little recked Siegfried of heart's dole till that the news reached him of a fair maid of
Burgundy, than whom none could wish a fairer; by reason of her, joy befell him, and
sorrow.
Her beauty was rumoured far and wide, and the fame of her virtues, joined thereto,
brought many strangers into Gunther's land. Yet, though many wooed her, Kriemhild was
firm-minded to wed none.
Thereupon Siegmund's son yearned to her with true love. Weighed with him all other
suitors were as wind, for he was meet to be chosen of fair women; and, or long,
Kriemhild the high maiden was bold Sir Siegfried's bride.
His kinsmen and his liegemen counselled him to woo a fitting mate, if he meant to love in
earnest, whereto Siegfried answered, "It shall be Kriemhild. So measureless fair is the
maiden of Burgundy, that the greatest emperor, were he minded to wed, were none too
good for her."
The tidings came to Siegmund's ear. His knights told him Siegfried's intent, and it irked
him that his son should woo the royal maiden. To Sieglind, the king's wife, they told it
also, and she feared for his life, for she knew Gunther and his men.
They would have turned him from his quest.
Spake bold Siegfried then, "Dearest father mine, either I will think no more on women at
all, or I will woo where my heart's desire is." And for all they could say, he changed not
his purpose.
Then said the king, "If thou wilt not yield in this, i'faith, I approve thy choice, and will
further thee therein as I best can. Nevertheless,